Functions of Liver

1: Regulation of blood glucose level

When the blood glucose concentration becomes excessive; liver converts the glucose into
glycogen. Liver converts the glycogen back to the glucose when energy is needed.
2: Metabolism
Liver is responsible for the metabolism of proteins and fats. It synthesizes blood clotting
factors and stores various types of vitamins.
3:Bile secretion
The hypatocystes cells! of liver secrete bile. The bile is stored in gallbladder.The bile
duct of liver and cystic duct of gallbladder form common bile duct. The common bile
duct "oin the pancreatic duct# the bile from common bile duct and pancreatic "uice from
pancreatic duct empty into duodenum of small intestine! through the sphincter of oddi
valve! if it is opened. The opening of this valve is controlled by a hormone called
$holecystokinin.
%ile "uice helps in emulsificaton of fats.
%ile is alkaline solution. Its molecules have dual nature one end is attracted to water
molecule while other is attracted to fat molecule!. Thus its molecules remain in between
water molecules and fat molecules emulsification process!.
If bile molecules were not present between fats and water# the fat molecules would be
repelled by water molecules and be attracted to each other. The fat molecules would
merge together because fats are insoluble in water. The merged fats would not be easily
broken down with lipase fat digesting enzyme!.
4:Breakdown of old red blood cells
Liver breaks down the old red blood cells into bilurubin. %ilurubin is excreted in bile and
urine.
5: eto!ification
Liver contains macrophages called &upffer cells. These cells engulf and breakdown toxic
matter such as microorganisms# dead cells and chemicals. &upffer cells ingest
microorganism by phagocytosis. The engulfed microorganism is called phagosome.
Lysosmes in the cytoplasm of kupffer cell# fuse with the phagosome and release digestive
enzymes. These enzymes breakdown and kill the microorganism.
But how kupffer cell identify toxic matter?
There are receptors for the toxic matter on the surface of kupffer cells. The harmful
particle and these receptors of kupffer cell can fit together like pieces of a puzzle. The
harmful particle is then engulfed by kupffer cell.